(UPDATED) -- Haze alert has been raised over Cebu Business Park where the fire that engulfed Metro Ayala Center Cebu in Cebu City continues to billow black smoke from the building.
The fire has been ongoing for 21 hours as of 6:30 a.m. Saturday, January 6, and Task Force Bravo alarm has been raised, meaning all the fire trucks in Lapu-Lapu City, neighboring towns, and cities were asked to respond.
Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office Chief Nagiel Bañacia said, “Everyone living or staying near Cebu Business Park, who have cardio-vascular problem, is advised to temporarily evacuate or transfer to safer area due to heavy hazardous or toxic fumes from the ongoing fire at Metro Gaisano Ayala.”
Bañacia added, "For those who have respiratory problems in Barangays Kamputhaw, Luz, Hipodromo, Mabolo and Lahug, please visit your health center. These centers are now open manned by personnel from City Health Department led by Dra. Alice Aycardo. City health personnel are also roaming around these baranagys to check on possible health concerns. City Ambulance Service is on standby to assist."
The fire started at 9:30 p.m. Friday night, January 5, when smoke was detected at the third floor of the toys stockroom of the mall. The customers and personnel were swiftly and safely evacuated, said lawyer Vince Tomaning, spokesperson of Metro Ayala Center Cebu.
"The Metro Ayala and Ayala Center Cebu Emergency Brigade Teams are closely working with the Bureau of Fire and other emergency response teams to manage the situation. All customers and personnel were safely evacuated, there are no casualties and serious injuries reported. At of this time, the firefighters are still working on putting off the fire. The management of Metro Gaisano would like to thank everyone, the firefighters, the volunteers, the government personnel, its employees, concerned citizens, and all those who have helped and assisted in putting off the fire,” he said in a statement.
Bañacia said that as of 3 a.m. Saturday, the fourth floor of the Metro Ayala building has collapsed and that it may take two days to completely control the blaze. (CID/With reports from Herty Lopez of Supervoxpop Cebu/Johanna Marie O. Bajenting of VoxPop Cebu/VoxPop Philippines)